Tool Chest

I moved to a new home earlier this year and decided to build a new chest to hold my hand tools. A new workshop deserves a handsome toolchest!I used Black Walnut for the carcase with mahogany for the drawers. The drawer fronts were veneered with figured Anigre to give them some subtle “wow” factor and the knobs were turned from Rosewood.I am currently working on fitting the drawers to hold my hand tools, a difficult task as I always seem to pick the odd new tool. And I want to build a mobile base unit to go under the chest with room for my larger hand planes, etc.A tool chest is a great project to build for your ‘shop. It keeps your tools safe, free from rust and most important-in one place! No more searching on shelves for that elusive chisel ;)I have put step-by-step pictures on my website Here

Very nice Phil, although I’ve been keeping tabs on the progress of this over at your blog. Thanks for putting together the step by step. Fantastic details for a piece that’ll live in the shop, – speaks volumes about your work. I trust you left a couple drawers for Santa to fill?

What a terrific tool box. The contrasting woods really bring out the beauty of it. You could put this one in your living room. You have a great website, it’s so well organized, did you set it up yourself ? With what company does your website originate ?

Thanks Obi, Dick.I went a bit over the top with the tool chest. But at least I won’t have to make another for a few years ;)Glad you like my website-it’s my own work. I use Frontpage to build it, it is pretty straightforward. But it does take a lot of time to keep it updated.Best regardsPhil

Phil, I discovered your website a few days back from another of your LumberJock’s blogs. I have spent hours studying it and your step-by-step projects. Upon making this discovery, I immediately added you to my ‘buddies’ list. I am in awe of your craftsmanship, and I look forward to learning a lot from you.

I have a plan for a wall cabinet for my hand tools. Perhaps I can add that to my list of ‘to-do’s’ this year.

Ok, Phil… I had a little time on my lunch break to look over the step process of your tool chest. I like the simplicity of the side panels, and I really like the added beading detail to the center stile of each panel.

One thing I noticed, however, is that you veneer the front of the drawers and the top of the chest, but you don’t mention anything about veneering the opposite sides of the boards. Is that something you did and just didn’t mention? Or did you only veneer the one side? If the latter, then do you have any problems with movement/warping?

Did you have any thoughts as to how tall you should make your drawers? Is there a height that is too tall and thus becomes wasted space? What is the max height on your lower drawers? You can use metric if you want – I know how to convert it. :)

EthanVeneering-the drawers are made of solid mahogany with the sides sliding dovetailed into the fronts. I felt happy that the joint would ensure the fronts didn’t warp when I veneered them. So far they seem to be fine.The top I only veneered on the top face. I’ve read conflicting stories on veneering only one side. As the top is screwed down tight to the carcase I’m hoping the top will be o.k. I also made sure both sides of the top received equal amounts of finish to balance this. It too seems very happy. Time will tell…I made the thinnest drawers suitable for chisels and files, then made them bigger as looked best to the eye. By using the drawer bottom as the runner you get the most usuable depth to the drawers. The largest drawer is 2 1/2 inches deep inside-plenty for small planes, etc.Best regardsPhil